Nearly 700 graduates completed their undergraduate careers at the Multipurpose Events Center May 11 with about 6,000 people in attendance.

Ben Carson an American neurosurgeon and the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, gave the commencement address after about 15 faculty members left the arena floor in protest of Carson’s comments on homosexuality. Several hundred other students and faculty wore rainbow ribbons to protest the speaker.

Here are some of the comments Carson made at the speech in addition to discussing his career as a neurosurgeon, his family life and how he was successful in high school and college.

• I do sometimes tend to be not politically correct. I actually believe that freedom of speech and freedom of expression are extraordinarily important. We are so politically, people are afraid to express themeselves.
• If two people agree about everything, then one of them isn’t necessary.
• We have to get America back to a place where we are a can-do nation as opposed to a what-can-you-do-for-me nation.
• We should not be willing to give up our values and principles for the sake of political correctness.
• There are people who will try to silence you.
• Be nice to people. You will be surprised how nice people can be when you are nice to them.
• Don’t get into corners and throw hand-grenades at each other. Engage in civil discourse and talk about your differences.
• We live in a society that is trying to get rid of God. It’s OK to live by Godly principles.

Carson received a standing ovation after the speech.

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